Details begin to emerge in deaths of 2 children

James Levi Caldwell, 7, of Cedarbrook Court, Stanley, and Chloe Jade Arwood, 6, of Westway Drive, Gastonia, died in the collapse of a hole at a construction site on Sunday. (Halifax Media Group)

By Diane Turbyfill / Halifax Media Group

Published: Monday, April 8, 2013 at 07:19 PM.

Families of two children trapped and killed under a wall of dirt started planning funerals Monday while investigators worked to piece together the tragic turn of events.

James Levi Caldwell, 7, of Cedarbrook Court, Stanley, and Chloe Jade Arwood, 6, of Westway Drive, Gastonia, died in the collapse Sunday evening near the Gaston and Lincoln county line.

The children were cousins.

Arwood’s father, Jordan Keely Arwood, was operating a backhoe on the rural piece of property near his home on Cedarbrook Court.

The children had gone into a 20x24-foot pit to recover a small toy, walking to the farthest part of the pit with the highest wall of dirt next to them, said Lincoln County Sheriff David Carpenter. A portion of the dirt wall collapsed onto the children.

Calls for help

A child called 911 just after 5 p.m. Sunday and took directive from adults in the background. The caller told a dispatcher that two children were buried underground and to send help.

Families of two children trapped and killed under a wall of dirt started planning funerals Monday while investigators worked to piece together the tragic turn of events.

James Levi Caldwell, 7, of Cedarbrook Court, Stanley, and Chloe Jade Arwood, 6, of Westway Drive, Gastonia, died in the collapse Sunday evening near the Gaston and Lincoln county line.

The children were cousins.

Arwood’s father, Jordan Keely Arwood, was operating a backhoe on the rural piece of property near his home on Cedarbrook Court.

The children had gone into a 20x24-foot pit to recover a small toy, walking to the farthest part of the pit with the highest wall of dirt next to them, said Lincoln County Sheriff David Carpenter. A portion of the dirt wall collapsed onto the children.

Calls for help

A child called 911 just after 5 p.m. Sunday and took directive from adults in the background. The caller told a dispatcher that two children were buried underground and to send help.

Jordan Arwood made the next 911 call. A dispatcher kept the frantic father on the phone while sending fire, rescue and medical workers.

The dispatcher urged Arwood to keep everyone off of the ground where the children could be trapped. She told him to stay calm and speak encouragingly to the entrapped children.

Arwood begged for help, screamed the children’s names and prayed for the Lord to lift the dirt. He told the operator two tons of dirt could be covering the children.

Digging for help

Rescue workers from multiple areas assisted Lincoln County Emergency Management in an attempt to rescue the children.

Cedarbrook Court was closed off while rescue workers dug by hand to find the children, said Carpenter.

By 10 p.m., officials announced that the mission would turn to recovery rather than rescue, meaning that the children had died.

One of the bodies was found about 6 a.m. Monday and the second child at 7 a.m.

By 10 a.m., family gathered outside the home. The backyard remained marked with crime scene tape.

A couple of men from the Billy Graham Evangelical Association drove up to pray with the family.

Lives lost

James Caldwell often broke out a big smile at school. The first-grader at Catawba Springs Elementary School in Denver had charisma, according to Principal Kristi Smith.

“He was a wonderful young man, a very happy little boy,” said Smith. “He had a smile on his face and was eager to celebrate a success when he had made an accomplishment.”

The loss of the little boy hit hard with staff and students, according to Smith.

“Our staff is very attached to this young man and his family,” Smith said.

Chloe Arwood was not registered with public schools in Gaston or Lincoln counties, according to school officials.

Arwood spent some weekends on Cedarbrook Court with her father, according to Carpenter.

Pictures of Arwood’s sparkling eyes and bright smile popped up on Facebook on Monday afternoon. People sorrowfully left comments, many saying heaven had gained a new angel.

Investigation continues

Investigators weren’t clear Monday if any charges would be filed.

Detectives were unclear as to what kind of project Arwood had under way.

“We hope to find out in the next day or so what his intentions were,” Carpenter said.

According to investigators, Arwood had no building permits issued for that property.

Detectives spoke with Arwood on Monday afternoon and removed several guns and a marijuana plant from inside his mobile home, according to a press release from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Arwood is a felon and not permitted to own guns.

Results of the investigation will be discussed to determine if any charges will be filed.

Emotional process

Search and recovery of the two children was rough on everyone, Carpenter said. The scene amongst rescue workers was the most emotional Carpenter said he’s seen in 30 years of law enforcement.

The children’s funerals are being planned by Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mount Holly.